Secrets for comfort in every season
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Rural Utah residents often face an annual balancing act: Keeping their homes cozy during snowy winters and comfortably cool in the scorching summer months.
Many of the region’s older houses, built decades ago without modern insulation or central heating and cooling , can be a challenge. But according to Doug Allred, owner of Martin Heating and Air in Ephraim, practical steps and timely maintenance go a long way toward boosting efficiency and reducing energy costs.
“Older homes weren’t always originally designed to have furnaces and air conditioners,” Allred said. “A lot of ductwork is an afterthought, so airflow ends up being inadequate.” Still, he believes there are solutions for property owners willing to invest in improvements and adopt consistent habits.
Here are Allred’s suggestions for ensuring year-round comfort in rural Utah homes:
1. Insulate the attic properly
Allred sees firsthand how quickly heat escapes through attics lacking sufficient insulation. While new construction often includes 18 to 20 inches of insulating material, older homes frequently have as little as a few inches—often compressed from decades of settling.
“Blown-in insulation in the attic pays for itself pretty quickly,” he said. “It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to keep warm air inside during winter and cool air from leaking out in the summer.”
In Allred’s experience, many homeowners do not realize their insulation has compressed or become damaged over the years. Having a qualified professional evaluate insulation levels and add fresh material can substantially improve your comfort.
2. Seal cracks and gaps
Foundations of older homes can develop cracks where outside air rushes in, particularly if they were built using rock or adobe materials. When left unchecked, these gaps allow heated indoor air to escape in winter and let the searing desert sun inside during summer.
“Sealing air gaps is an easy fix that makes a big difference,” Allred said. Homeowners can use caulk or foam sealant to close cracks along window sills, door frames and foundations. Any sign of daylight through a wall or floor may require inspection. If the gaps are extensive, Allred recommends having an insulation professional tackle the job, since they often have specialized sprays and materials that can fill even the trickiest crevices.
3. Maintain HVAC systems regularly
One of the simplest and most frequently overlooked tasks, Allred said, is changing air filters. Dirty filters force HVAC units to work harder to maintain the same temperature, raising energy usage and leading to premature wear on the system.
“I go out on service calls, and it’s surprising how many people either don’t know where their furnace filter is or never replace it,” he said.
Allred also recommends scheduling an annual inspection. A professional tune-up identifies hidden issues before they become emergencies, giving homeowners a chance to plan for potential part replacements or major upgrades. Regular checkups can be even more critical in older homes, where ductwork and furnaces see heavier wear decades of use.
4. Avoid extreme thermostat fluctuations
In an effort to save on utility bills, some people shut off or drastically lower the furnace or air conditioning while away from home, then push the unit to make up the difference when they return. This practice can backfire, according to Allred, who says running the furnace or air conditioner at a moderately consistent setting often saves more energy in the long run.
“When you turn the system off and then crank it back up, it has to work that much harder to reach the desired temperature again,” he said. “That can actually use more power than just leaving things a few degrees cooler or warmer while you’re away.”
Small adjustments, such as lowering the thermostat by a couple of degrees at night in winter or raising it slightly in summer, can reduce energy use without straining the system.
5. Try attic ventilation fans in Summer
Though summers in rural Utah can be sweltering, Allred notes that there are ways to keep a house cool other than running the air conditioner. He has recently been installing attic ventilation fans in new homes and believes the same concept could be applied to older ones.
The approach involves placing a large fan in the attic and opening windows in the morning when outside temperatures are cooler. “The fan pulls fresh air inside and forces the hot, stale air out through the attic,” Allred said. “It also cools the attic itself, so it takes longer for the house to heat up during the day.”
After the fan runs in the morning, owners close windows to seal in the cooler air. This can provide relief from extreme heat without over relying on air conditioning.
6. Use ceiling fans and blinds strategically
Allred recommends practical steps to move cool air and block heat. Ceiling fans, for instance, cost little to operate yet help circulate air around the house. Shutting blinds or curtains on south-facing windows can prevent the sun’s intense rays from overheating interior spaces.
“Close the windows if you’re running air conditioning,” he advised, stressing the importance of keeping cool air in rather than letting more hot air seep inside. “Curtains, blinds and fans are small things, but they add up when you’re trying to maintain a comfortable home.”
7. Consider upgrading HVAC equipment
Replacing an aging furnace or installing a newer, more efficient system can involve significant upfront costs. However, Allred believes modern solutions pay dividends over time, especially if a homeowner’s current system is decades old.
“Heat pumps, for example, have come a long way,” he said. “They’re super efficient and can reduce your power bills, though you do pay more at the start. In the long term, you might see a big difference in energy usage.”
(Heat pumps use a refrigerant that evaporates and condenses, absorbing and releasing heat in the process. In heating mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and transfers it inside to warm the space. In cooling mode, the refrigerant removes heat from inside the home and releases it outside.)
Whether opting for a high-efficiency gas furnace, a heat pump or simply a better insulated home, the main idea remains the same: The more effectively a house is sealed and ventilated, the less money a homeowner wastes on lost warm or cool air.
8. Keep the fan in circulation mode
For homes with forced-air systems, Allred suggests running the central fan in a continuous circulation mode, rather than setting it to cycle solely when the furnace or air conditioner kicks on. This helps eliminate hot or cold spots and keeps temperatures consistent throughout the house.
Looking ahead
Rural Utah living comes with its own brand of charm, but older-home construction can present distinct heating and cooling hurdles. Simple measures such as checking furnace filters, sealing cracks and adding attic insulation help owners avoid bigger problems down the road. More advanced steps, like attic ventilation fans or heat pumps, can yield even greater comfort and savings.
Though no single fix solves every temperature challenge, combining these approaches can create a year-round buffer against harsh winters and high-desert summers. Allred encourages homeowners to look at each aspect of their house—insulation, heating and cooling systems, airflow and ventilation—and identify the best plan for staying comfortable.